What you need to do to transfer a Michigan car title
To transfer a car title in Michigan, you submit form REG 14 (process for Michigan Title) to the Secretary of State, along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment. The process takes about two weeks if you mail it in, or you can complete it in person at a Secretary of State office the same day. You will need the seller's signature on the title and bill of sale, and you must have the vehicle inspected by a police officer or certified mechanic if the title is from out of state or if the odometer reading is missing.
The cost varies depending on your situation. A standard title transfer costs $15 to $20. If you need a duplicate title because the seller lost theirs, that adds $20. If the vehicle is financed, your lender must be listed on the title, which may require additional paperwork from them. The Secretary of State accepts payment by check, money order, or credit card if you explore online.
Key Takeaways
- You must submit form REG 14 to the Michigan Secretary of State with the signed title from the seller, a bill of sale, and the transfer fee.
- Out-of-state titles and titles with missing odometer readings require a vehicle inspection by a police officer or certified mechanic before the title can be issued.
- If the vehicle is financed, your lender's name must appear on the new title, and you may need a lien release letter from the seller's lender.
- You can mail your process or visit a Secretary of State office in person; mailing takes about two weeks, while in-person service is same-day.
Gathering the documents the seller must provide
The seller must sign the back of the title in the designated signature line. This signature must be original ink—photocopies are not accepted. If the title is a duplicate or the seller lost the original, they can request a duplicate from the Secretary of State before selling to you, or you can request it after purchase if they sign a bill of sale authorizing the transfer.
You also need a bill of sale signed by both you and the seller. Michigan does not have a required form for this, but it should include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and the printed names and signatures of both parties. Many people use a straightforward template from the Secretary of State website or write one themselves. Keep a copy for your records.
If the vehicle is financed, ask the seller for a lien release letter from their lender. This letter states that the loan has been paid off and the lender releases its claim to the vehicle. Without it, the title will still show the old lender's name, and you will not own the vehicle free and clear. The lender typically sends this directly to the Secretary of State or to you, depending on their process.
Out-of-state titles and inspection requirements
If you are buying a vehicle with a title from another state, Michigan requires a vehicle inspection before the title can be transferred. This inspection confirms the vehicle identification number on the title matches the actual vehicle and that the odometer reading is accurate. You can have this inspection done by any Michigan police officer or a certified mechanic—the Secretary of State maintains a list of certified inspectors on their website.
The inspection costs between $15 and $30, depending on who performs it. Bring the vehicle, the out-of-state title, and your bill of sale to the inspection. The inspector will complete form VIN 6 (Vehicle Identification Number Inspection Report) and give you a copy. You then submit this form along with your other documents when you explore for the Michigan title.
If the out-of-state title is missing the odometer reading, an inspection is also required. Some older titles or titles from certain states do not have this field filled in. The inspection documents the current mileage, which becomes the official reading on your Michigan title.
How to submit your process
You have two options: mail your process or visit a Secretary of State office in person. To mail, complete form REG 14, gather all required documents, and send them to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the transfer fee. The Secretary of State processes mailed applications in the order received, typically within two weeks. You will receive your new title by mail.
To explore in person, locate your nearest Secretary of State office using their website. Bring the completed form REG 14, the signed title, the bill of sale, the inspection report (if required), proof of a lien release (if applicable), and payment. You can pay by cash, check, credit card, or debit card. The office will process your process the same day, and you will receive your new title within a few minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is.
If you explore online through the Secretary of State website, you can pay by credit card and upload images of your documents. Online applications are processed in the same timeframe as mailed ones. You will still need to mail in the original signed title and bill of sale unless the Secretary of State has a specific exception for your situation.
What happens if the title has a lien on it
A lien means the seller's lender still has a legal claim to the vehicle because the loan has not been paid off. You cannot legally own the vehicle until the lien is removed. Before you buy, confirm with the seller that they will pay off the loan before the sale closes, or arrange for the sale proceeds to go directly to the lender to satisfy the debt.
Once the lender is paid, they issue a lien release letter. This letter should be sent to the Secretary of State along with your title transfer process, or you can submit it separately. The new title will be issued without the lender's name. If you submit your process before the lien is released, the Secretary of State will delay processing until they receive proof of the release.
If you are financing the vehicle yourself through a bank or credit union, your lender will want to be listed on the title as a lienholder. Provide your lender's information when you submit your process, and they will appear on the title. Your lender will hold the title until you pay off the loan, at which point they will release it to you.
Transferring a title when the seller is deceased
If you are buying a vehicle from an estate or the seller has passed away, the process is more complex. The person transferring the title must be the executor or administrator of the estate, or must have legal authority to sell the vehicle. They will need to provide a copy of the death certificate and documentation of their authority, such as letters testamentary from the probate court.
The deceased person's signature cannot be obtained, so the executor or administrator signs on their behalf in the signature line, writing their own name and title (for example, "Jane Smith, Executor"). The Secretary of State may request additional documentation to verify the authority to transfer. Contact your local Secretary of State office before submitting to confirm what documents they need in your specific situation.
Common reasons applications are delayed or rejected
The most common reason for delay is a missing or illegible signature. The seller's signature on the back of the title must be in the correct line and in original ink. If it is in the wrong place or looks like a photocopy, the Secretary of State will return the process and ask you to resubmit. This adds one to two weeks to the process.
Another frequent issue is a mismatch between the VIN on the title and the VIN on the vehicle itself. This usually happens with out-of-state titles or vehicles with a history of damage. The inspection report will catch this, but if the numbers do not match, the Secretary of State may ask for additional documentation or a clarification from the seller. Do not ignore this—it can indicate title fraud or a salvage vehicle that was not disclosed.
Missing or incomplete lien release letters also cause delays. If the title shows a lien and you do not provide proof that it has been released, your process cannot be processed. Contact the seller's lender directly if you do not receive the release letter within a few days of the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive the car before the title transfer is complete?
No. You should not drive the vehicle until you have received your new title. You can register the vehicle with a temporary registration if you need to move it, but this requires proof of ownership. Contact the Secretary of State or a local police officer for a temporary registration form if the seller needs to deliver the vehicle to you.
What if the seller's name on the title does not match their current legal name?
The seller must sign the title using the name that appears on it, even if they have since changed their name. If the name mismatch is significant, the Secretary of State may ask for a legal document showing the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Have the seller contact the Secretary of State before you submit your process if you are unsure.
Do I need to have the vehicle inspected if I am buying from a Michigan dealer?
No. Dealer titles are already registered in Michigan, so no inspection is required. The dealer will provide you with the title and bill of sale, and you can submit your process directly to the Secretary of State. Dealer transactions are usually faster because there are no inspection delays.
What if I bought the vehicle but the seller will not sign the title?
You cannot legally transfer the title without the seller's signature. If the seller refuses to sign, you do not own the vehicle and should not pay for it. If you have already paid, you may need to pursue a civil claim or contact local law enforcement. Do not attempt to forge a signature or submit an unsigned title.
How long is a Michigan title valid once I receive it?
A Michigan title does not expire. Once issued, it remains valid as long as you own the vehicle. However, you must renew your vehicle registration every year or every two years, depending on your vehicle type. The title and registration are separate documents.